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GOP Group Urges “Aggressive” U.S. Fuel Economy Rules

A group of 15 Republican former members of Congress, governors and administrators of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is urging the Obama administration to set "aggressive" fuel economy standards for 2017 through 2025.
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A group of 15 Republican former members of Congress, governors and administrators of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is urging the Obama administration to set "aggressive" fuel economy standards for 2017 through 2025.

The group says an average increase of 6% per year is "achievable and cost-effective" for consumers. At that rate, vehicles sold in the U.S. would be required to average 62 miles per gallon by 2025.

The former Congressman who organized the appeal admits that few of his Republican colleagues currently in office support such a strict target. In April, 18 U.S. senators, all but one of them a Democrat, also endorsed the 62-mpg requirement.

The EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which are scheduled to propose standards by Sept. 30, have said they are considering annual increases of 3%-6%. But automakers say achieving the high end of that range would be too expensive, thus reducing auto sales and eliminating jobs.

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